Foxconn
Electronic manufacturing services
Founded in 1974 by Terry Gou, it is the world's largest Electronic Manufacturing Services company with more than 200 subsidiaries (including more than 40 carrying the Foxconn name) in Asia, the Americas and Europe. It designs and manufactures computers, consumer electronics, communications and other products. Customers include Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Nokia and Sony.

Overall

Owned TWN
Rating D
About the Ratings
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd
TWN

Company Assessment

(Last updated Jul 2024)
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd
Praise
Supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 75.1/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE (2023)
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP (2023)
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
Criticism
Workers rights in China
This open letter from the iLabour Action Group to Foxconn Technology Group outlines several labour rights violations by this company in its Chinese factories including constant illegal overtime and inadequate base wages which have led to mental health issues amongst workers, sometimes leading to suicides.
7.6% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 7.6%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
5/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2022 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 information, communications and technology (ICT) companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 5/100. The average score was 20/100 and the highest score was 63.
3.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 3.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Workers rights in China
A 2023 report by China Labor Watch investigated labour conditions in China's consumer electronics sector using three stages of research: analysis of social media posts, case studies through online research, and in-person factory investigation. Labour abuses identified in factories supplying this company include excessive working hours, mandatory overtime, poor food and/or living conditions, deception, workplace bullying and verbal abuse, and child labour.
23.4% in Digital Inclusion Benchmark
The 2023 Digital Inclusion Benchmark ranks 200 companies on their responsibility to advance a more inclusive digital society. The companies were assessed using four measurement areas: access, skills, use and innovation. This company ranked #126/200, with a total score of 23.4/100.
Information
Workers rights in China
This 2011 report is a follow-up to a 2008 Make IT Fair report which researched working conditions at four electronics factories operating in China. While conditions have improved, workers still endure excessive overtime, low wages and disrespect of union rights.
Source: SOMO (2011)
Workers rights in China
This 2012 investigative report by SACOM shows labour rights violations remain the norm in factories run by Foxconn. Violations include excessive overtime, inhumane treatment, no freedom of speech, no freedom of association and unsafe working environments. [Listed under information due to age of report]
Chemical poisoning of workers
The Poisonous Pearl is a 2016 report by Good Electronics which focuses on the experiences of (former) workers in the electronics industry in China who are victims of chemical poisoning. The health of all the workers in the report was damaged by exposure to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and n-hexane. All were working in large or small factories in the Pearl River Delta-region of China, an area well known as being a global hub for the production of consumer electronics (ICT). This company is supplied by factories in the region.
Source: SOMO (2016)
Child labour in gold mining
This 2016 scorecard by SOMO compares electronics companies on their policies and efforts regarding responsible mining and the elimination of child labour, with special attention to the mining of gold. This company received the lowest rating on the scorecard.
Workers rights in Brazil
Electronics manufacturing in Brazil started with the same kinds of labour violations as seen in countries like China. However over time Brazil's comprehensive labour laws and enforcement thereof have improved conditions for workers, particularly in the areas of excessive working hours and inappropriate use of temporary labour. Despite this, wages are still well below a living wage, unhealthy working conditions remain, and workers still experience harassment and a "culture of fear". [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: SOMO (2017)
26.6% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 26.6/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Responsible Minerals Initiative member
This company is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative), which helps companies address conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. The RMI provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. Membership is open to companies that use or transact in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold (3TG). Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative.
Source: RMI (2019)
Responsible Business Alliance member
This company is a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (formerly the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition), a non-profit coalition of electronics companies which supports the rights and wellbeing of workers and communities worldwide affected by the global electronics supply chain. RBA members commit and are held accountable to a common Code of Conduct and utilize a range of RBA training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement in the social, environmental and ethical responsibility of their supply chains.
Source: RBA (2022)
CSR claims
This company has Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility claims on its website.
Workers rights in Mexico
This 2015 report by Good Electronics rates electronics companies on their compliance with labour rights in Mexico. This company was rated 'bare minimum'.
55/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 55/100 in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Facing Finance profile
This company is listed on the Facing Finance website as a company that manufactures weapons or profits from violations of human rights, pollution, corruption, or international law. Follow link for further details.
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Company Details

Type:
Public company
Revenue:
132 billion USD (2013)
Employees:
1.3 million (2014)
Subsidiaries:
Sharp Corporation (42% owned)
Consumer electronics
Manufacture and sell digital information equipment, health and environment equipment, solar cells, business solutions, LCD and electronic devices. Products sold in 140 countries. Acquired by Foxconn in 2016.
Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty Ltd
Business and consumer electronics
Products for home (entertainment, kitchen, solar panels) and for business (computers and office equipment).

Contact Details

Address:
New Tapei City, Taiwan
Website:
www.foxconn.com

Products / Brands

Sharp Australia (42% owned)
Dynabook Laptops
Sharp Audio Equipment
Sharp Televisions
Sharp Air Purifiers
Sharp Fridges & Freezers
Sharp Microwaves
Sharp Washing Machines & Dryers